Games

As someone who grew up playing games on the ZX Spectrum, I couldn’t wait to watch From Bedrooms to Billions – and here is our review.

As I mentioned, when I was a kid I played most of my games on a ZX Spectrum and a BBC Micro B, I was definitely a Spectrum kid, although I had friends who had Commodore 64s. I first heard about From Bedrooms to Billions when the KickStarter began and I was both excited to relive those days and slightly nervous that looking back on the games that I spent hours and hours of my life on (I’m talking about you Jet Set Willy for starters) just wouldn’t hold up to the test of time.

The film sets out to explore the entire UK Video Games Industry starting in the 1970’s, with interviews with all the key players, gameplay footage, and great anecdotes.

I remember a lot of what was covered in the film, hanging out in computer shops, typing in games listings from the back of magazines, getting the latest game and playing it with your mates – this is what got me into computers in the first place, and I have never looked back. We didn’t have the Internet back then so the only way to find out more about games or your favourite developers was to read about it in magazines like Crash! or Your Spectrum / Your Sinclair.

I don’t want to ruin any of the great stories so all I will say is that if you are a child of the 70’s or 80’s and you want to relive your youth you have to watch this, and if you are a little younger than that then this will be a great history lesson for you.

Anthony and Nicola Caulfield have done an amazing job on this film – it really took me back to my childhood and it’s easy to see that for them this was more than just making a film, it was a real passion. I for one can’t wait to see what they tackle next!

The film lasts over two hours, which seemed to fly by, there are lots of additional materials though, depending on which of the four editions you buy.

We recently got to play some LEGO Jurassic World and speak to TT Games about it.

Following the epic storylines of Jurassic Park, The Lost World: Jurassic Park and Jurassic Park III, as well as the highly anticipated Jurassic World – LEGO Jurassic World is the first videogame where players will be able to relive and experience all four Jurassic films. Reimagined in LEGO form and told in TT Games’ signature classic LEGO humour, the thrilling adventure recreates unforgettable scenes and action sequences from the films, allowing fans to play through key moments and giving them the opportunity to fully explore the expansive grounds of Isla Nublar and Isla Sorna

Nintendo Co Ltd and DeNA Co Ltd has today entered into a business and capital alliance to develop and operate new game apps for smart devices and build a new multi-device membership service for consumers worldwide.

Leveraging the strength of Nintendo’s intellectual property (IP) and game development skills in combination with DeNA’s world-class expertise in mobile games, both companies will develop and operate new game apps based on Nintendo’s IP, including its iconic game characters, for smart devices. The alliance is intended to complement Nintendo’s dedicated video game systems business and extend Nintendo’s reach into the vast market of smart device users worldwide. Under the alliance, DeNA will also be able to strengthen its gaming business at a global scale by leveraging Nintendo’s IP. To ensure the quality of game experience that consumers expect from this alliance of Nintendo and DeNA, only new original games optimised for smart device functionality will be created, rather than porting games created specifically for the Wii U home console or the Nintendo 3DS portable system.

In order to create completely new game experiences for smart devices, all Nintendo IP will be eligible for development and exploration by the alliance. As these consumers enjoy the unique kind of gameplay found only with Nintendo, they will have the opportunity to explore even more premium experiences on Nintendo’s dedicated video game platforms. Information on upcoming games and availability will be forthcoming.

Nintendo and DeNA also plan to develop an online membership service that is accessible from smart devices, PC and Nintendo systems, such as the Nintendo 3DS portable system and the Wii U home console. The membership service, which is targeted to launch in the fall of 2015, will be built on DeNA’s extensive experience and capabilities in online membership services.

As part of the long-term relationship and commitment by each company, Nintendo and DeNA have also agreed to form a capital alliance. Under the capital alliance, Nintendo will acquire 15,081,000 of DeNA’s treasury shares, which corresponds to 10.00 percent of its total outstanding stock, for a total of approximately 22 billion yen. DeNA will simultaneously acquire 1,759,400 of Nintendo’s treasury shares, which corresponds to 1.24 percent of its outstanding stock, for a total of approximately 22 billion yen. The payment is due 2nd April, 2015.

Also in the announcement of Nintendo making smartphones games via DeNA it also announced a new next generation console with more new details coming next year called Nintendo NX , with the struggling of the Wii U, the company is looking on to pastures new.

What does the new announcement mean for the Nintendo 3DS, with the the company’s popular handheld that only recently saw a revised model launch, is not clear yet. It’s certainly making the company a fair chunk of change, but with a smartphone in every pocket, Nintendo may begin to see a dedicated portable console of its own extraneous to its needs. What will the Nintendo NX be will it be a smartphone or portable hybrid we have to wait until next year to find out.

For the first time on a console, players can experience Borderlands 2 and/or Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel in HD – looking better than ever before. With The Handsome Collection, Borderlands fans can also continue their adventure right where they left off by transferring their saved files to the next-gen consoles with new cross-save functionality.

If you are a fan of Borderlands you will love the Handsome Collection – there’s something rather hypnotising about seeing Krieg’s belly button in next gen and you get everything!

We got to play some four player co-op on the PlayStation 4 version, and here are four videos showing it off.

Video One

Video Two

Video Three

Video Four

The Handsome Collection includes Borderlands 2 and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel a long with all of the downloadable content for both titles over £180 of value on prior gen consoles, but now with the high performance and graphical fidelity of next-gen consoles for only £49.99.

The Handsome Collection will launch in North America on 24th March, and internationally on 27th March, on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

A gaming chair needs to be comfortable, include all the audio features you need and if it just so happens to make you look like a Bond villain in the process, so much the better. The Pedestal Gaming Chair from Xenta provides all of these things and more.

The sleek and imposing no-nonsense design lends the chair an air of authority. If you didn’t already know about the built-in speaker system, you might assume it belonged in the office of a high-ranking executive. Lower yourself into it and prepare to feel both relaxed and fully supported through the combination of ergonomic design, adjustable headrest and curved armrests.

No matter how you swivel it, the chair is only a chair until you give it power. Plug it in and prepare to experience your favourite movies and games like never before. The audio is piped in directly over your shoulders to make you feel a part of the action like never before.

The chair itself if fully adjustable and comes with a number of levers and switches that allow you to adjust the seat to your exact specifications. A handy control panel is also included in the seat unit so you can adjust the volume and bass levels while barely moving a muscle.

How to enter to win

We have a Xenta Pedastal Gaming Chair worth £149.99 to give away to one lucky reader.

If you are a fan of Minecraft, Wiley have released a number of new Minecraft books, and we had 2 copies of Minecraft Construction For Dummies Portable Edition to give away – here are the winners.

There isn’t anything that can’t be built in Minecraft, but it can be overwhelming to figure out where to start. That’s why there’s Minecraft Construction For Dummies, Portable Edition. More than just a game, Minecraft consists of players using an avatar to create or destroy various types of blocks, form fantastic structures, create artwork, and do much more, all in a three-dimensional environment and across various multiplayer servers in multiple game modes. With this fun and friendly beginner’s guide, you will quickly discover how to fine-tune your skills in order to construct almost anything you want in this amazing environment.

Provides step-by-step instructions to help you build houses, boats, islands, and more

Addresses how to mine the right materials for basic building

Reveals how to build statues, beacons, and pillars as landmarks

Explores how to develop your farm for renewable resources

Written by Adam Cordeiro is a student at Stanford Online High School who enjoys math, gaming, and programming and has been playing Minecraft since the alpha days and Emily Nelson who writes short stories and served as a technical editor for Gamestar Mechanic For Dummies, Minecraft Construction For Dummies, Portable Edition goes where you go as you create a world you won’t want to leave!

The Winners

We had two copies of Minecraft Construction For Dummies Portable Edition to give away – and here are the winners:

Amy Jo McLellan

Samantha Bolter

Minecraft Construction For Dummies Portable Edition is available now for £8.99, and thank you to our friends at Wiley for the books.

If you are a fan of Minecraft, Wiley have released a number of new Minecraft books, and we have 2 copies of Minecraft Recipes For Dummies Portable Edition to give away.

Want to find resources, make a shelter, craft tools, armor, and weapons, and protect yourself from monsters with Minecraft recipes? You’ve come to the right place! In a handy, portable edition that’s packed with step-by-step instructions, Minecraft Recipes For Dummies makes it easy to look up the required items and figure out which blocks you need to gather to create each item. You’ll get recipes for weapons, armor, transportation, mechanism, food, dye, wool, and brewing, as well as information on enchanting, repairing, gathering, farming, efficiency, and more.

Minecraft is more than just a game: it’s an obsession. It has gone from an obscure game with a cult-like following to a mainstream phenomenon. Minecraft consists of players using an avatar to create or destroy various types of blocks, form fantastic structures, create artwork, and much more, all in a three-dimensional environment and across various multiplayer servers in multiple game modes. With this fun and friendly guide, you’ll get quick and easy access to Minecraft recipes to enhance your game and get even more out of this popular, addictive game.

Shows you which blocks you’ll need to gather to create shelter, tools, armor, weapons, and more

Makes it easier for both beginner and advanced Minecraft players to make the most of the game

Playing the game teaches users basic programming skills and engineering concepts

The author’s sons—both avid Minecraft players and bloggers—contributed to the writing of this book

Minecraft Recipes For Dummies is the portable guide that goes where you go as you create a world you’ll never want to leave.

How to enter to win

We have two copies of Minecraft Recipes For Dummies Portable Edition to give away!

If you are a fan of Minecraft, Wiley have released a number of new Minecraft books, and we have 2 copies of Minecraft Construction For Dummies Portable Edition to give away.

There isn’t anything that can’t be built in Minecraft, but it can be overwhelming to figure out where to start. That’s why there’s Minecraft Construction For Dummies, Portable Edition. More than just a game, Minecraft consists of players using an avatar to create or destroy various types of blocks, form fantastic structures, create artwork, and do much more, all in a three-dimensional environment and across various multiplayer servers in multiple game modes. With this fun and friendly beginner’s guide, you will quickly discover how to fine-tune your skills in order to construct almost anything you want in this amazing environment.

Provides step-by-step instructions to help you build houses, boats, islands, and more

Addresses how to mine the right materials for basic building

Reveals how to build statues, beacons, and pillars as landmarks

Explores how to develop your farm for renewable resources

Written by Adam Cordeiro is a student at Stanford Online High School who enjoys math, gaming, and programming and has been playing Minecraft since the alpha days and Emily Nelson who writes short stories and served as a technical editor for Gamestar Mechanic For Dummies, Minecraft Construction For Dummies, Portable Edition goes where you go as you create a world you won’t want to leave!

How to enter to win

We have two copies of Minecraft Construction For Dummies Portable Edition to give away!

I literally had to place my Nintendo 3DS into a different room just to write this. I tend to do this with most things in my life that are extremely addictive; gadgets, toys, even cute pets if they keep giving me googly eyes whilst I’m trying to work (I love them really). Super Smash Brothers has arrived in portable form for the first time in the West and it’s insanely similar to the fast paced action known from the Wii and Game Cube versions. This is a successful dangerous combo: everything we know from Super Smash Brothers and it being playable on the move.

Why all the hype?

The Super Smash Brothers games have been utterly successful internationally over the many years dating back to its first release on the Nintendo 64 in 1999. Mascots, heroes and villains from all eras on the Nintendo thrown into battle, what more could you ask for from an all stars brawler? Fast forward to the current day and we’ve seen more 50 characters grace our screens. From retro familiar faces like Mario, Zelda and Metroid’s Samus, to the current day characters like the Villager you play in Animal Crossing and even the Wii Fit Trainer. So why all the hype? Well the games have a huge following in tournaments, it’s charm and roster goes down well with gamers of all ages and my personal preference, its accessibility for gamers at whatever skill.

Super Smash Brothers on the 3DS feels great to play as a handheld fighting game. Even though there’s less buttons to use in comparison to using the Game Cube’s controller you’ll still have full control to dominate the battlefield. This, as well as the same characters that will be in the Wii U version released soon and the fact it’s portable is the main reason why this game is spot on and pretty much the reason we’ve all been excited for it.

The many features

There are various features in this game that’ll be favourable to different players. There’s literally a brawl mode for every occasion; Smash, for a quick battle against the A.I or other local players; Online, if you prefer to play distant friends or strangers across the globe using the 3DS’s Wi-fi; Smash Run, the new mode for collecting power-ups and facing familiar Nintendo foes before battling your rivals; as well as a host of many other game modes such as the classic Stadium challenges and the All-Star mode. I played through each and every mode before writing this review and I must say that when I tire of one mode there’s always something else that would keep me interested within the same game. This is pretty impressive as other fighting games on the market rarely offer more than a handful of additional things to do other than duking it out.

The traditional story mode that most fighting games have isn’t here however. The previous outing ‘Brawl’ on the Wii had a fantastic story where we followed the game from several fighters’ perspectives that fought and traversed across platformer stages. This is something I thought I would have missed more than I did but I certainly couldn’t ask for any more than we already have. In it’s place we have the Classic solo mode where you pick your player, choose the intensity of the matches as a wager balancing option for more prizes, follow a path which you can choose who you want to fight next and then take on the Master Hand boss. Fancy a harder challenge? Simply up the wager which boosts the difficulty, choose the paths with the most coins for harder fights which will also include Master Hand and Crazy Hand, two bosses which turns into several ghost-like incarnations including your own character with a bigger pay off if you survive.

Mii Fighters

I’d say my favourite new feature has to be the ability to customise your fighters and the cherry on the cake being the creation of your very own Mii Fighters. Choosing your 3DS profile’s Mii you can literally have your head on a fighter’s body. With the option to choose the Brawler, Sword Fighter or Gunner fighting type for your Mii you can choose one of three moves for each of the special attack inputs. For instance I chose a Helicopter kick over an Uppercut for my brawler fighting to fit into my fighting preference. Whilst playing through the game you’ll unlock additional outfits and headwear for them to fight making your Mii Fighter more unique to you when you play locally or online.

Furthermore, the option to change your Mii fighters’ and other character’s strengths is now an option for the first time in the series. Tweaking their Attack, Defence and Speed using a combination of unlockable equipment is a fun new customisable feature. But beware; adding vast amounts of one thing lowers something else to keep a balance. So my Sword Fighter Mii might have boosted Attack and Defence but my overall Speed suffers thus making this character slower and heavier. You can do the same with the already perfectly balanced traditional fighters but you’ll find that default would always triumph for all rounder reasons.

Playing with others

Now we all know that we have more fun when we can play with other humans, well some of us anyways. And playing Super Smash Brothers couldn’t be any easier with quick navigations to find exactly what you need. If you fancy a quick game with up to 4 of your local friends you’d simply hit the Group option and either host a game or join them from the list. The same applies to the Smash Run mode, choose the group option and connect. Want to play over the internet with friends? It’s pretty much the same as before after you just connect. I have to admit that the choice to play with others as opposed to your friend did have the better game modes. As well as spectating you can choose to fight For Fun, which includes playing with items on every stage, or For Glory, which is the core battling gameplay without items, simplified stages, optional 1-on-1 fights and access to your fighting records for bragging rights.

Everything else

The game has some other options for you to get excited about other than the main game modes. StreetPass on the 3DS will allow you to play a mini game with collected data from other players who have passed you by. You’ll collect their profile in token form and will be able to play an air hockey type game where you’ll have to knock their token off the stage by moving your piece with the analogue stick and attacking with the A button. The Wii U has its own tab for when Super Smash Brothers is release on that format so you can use the 3DS as a controller or exchange your custom fighters from the console. Trophy Rush is available as another mini game to destroy falling blocks to earn prizes which is surprisingly addictive and difficult for some less agile characters.

The Stadium is home to the returning Home-Run Contest mode, the new Target Blast equivalent and Multi-Man Smash that features 6 more variants within. What more could you ask for? Replays and Screenshot snaps are available too to capture your most epic moments to share or save to your SD card in your picture album.

Verdict

At first getting to grips with the analogue stick on the 3DS is a little strange at first especially after using the Wii’s Nunchuck stick. I found at times when I’m not concentrating on the inputs I’ve mistakenly done a Up/Diagonal direction instead of Right/Left which, for a game that requires precision and accuracy, has lost me a few games. But with practise I’ve curbed this issue and I do it less but it’ll always be there waiting for me to slip up whilst using this stick. I’ve rarely had any lag whilst playing locally or online which brings a huge smile to my face. I’d have thought other than the Smash fighting mode online there’d at least be the option to play some of the other local modes such as Smash Run, All-Star or Multi-Man modes online too which is a shame.

Other than this I must say I’ve very impressed that Super Smash fits into this handheld console. I was genuinely debating with myself whether to get it solely for the Wii U as I wanted a fast paced game that looked great and I can play with my friends online. Now I have all the above with the ability to leave my home and play on the go with the option to play locally too. This is defiantly the definition of perfection.

In an unforgiving world where no sin is ever forgotten an army of the long-ago defeated god attacks the human realm. You are Harkyn, a convicted criminal who is given a chance at redemption. Released from prison, Harkyn and his mentor, Kaslo, set out on a mission to stop the war.

In his journey, Harkyn will forge strong alliances and face even stronger enemies. He will learn the true power of the Rhogar Lords – commanders of god’s army. He will even bring the battle to the Rhogar, travelling to the heart of the demonic dimension.

Will the god manage to enslave humans again? Is mankind really able to banish evil? Will Harkyn’s sins ever be forgiven?

Tomasz works with a small creative team at the CI Games HQ in Warsaw, Poland. He is ultimately responsible for the project, ensuring that the designers and developers on both teams work towards a consistent vision.

Before entering the games industry, he was a part of the Army’s IT Corps. After that he worked as a Senior Producer on the first two games in The Witcher franchise. He joined CI Games in 2011 to lead the Lords of the Fallen project.

In the interview, Tomasz talks about some of the new things revealed for the game, including the demon realm. Over to Tomasz:

And check out some brand new gameplay below:

Lords of the Fallen will be available on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC on October 31st, published in the UK by Square Enix.

What do you think of Lords of the Fallen? Let us know by leaving a comment below.